I want to share a story from about 20 years ago that taught me the importance of guarding my heart. At the time, I often listened to talk radio while driving. Over several years, I found myself frequently getting angry about politics and culture.

Eventually I realized all this negative input was affecting me. Like Psalm 24 describes, I had lifted up the gates of my heart and allowed things in that were not good for me. Listening eventually turned into personal frustration and hostility.

Psalm 24 urges us to “lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” It goes on to proclaim “The Lord strong and mighty,” telling how David brought the ark of God’s presence into Jerusalem.

This reminds us to carefully consider what we “invite into our hearts” through the media and experiences we expose ourselves to. So much today subtly fills us with anxiety, discontentment, anger or fear. But as Christians, we want to lift up the gates to let God’s peace rule in our hearts instead.

I had to stop and evaluate if talk radio was making me more or less effective for Christ. When I prayed about it, I felt convicted to turn it off and guard my heart more diligently. I quit “ingesting” so much toxic content.

We must be intentional about what we allow into our minds, especially with today’s endless content vying for our attention. Is it bringing us closer to God’s presence or crowding Him out? Is it nurturing godly character or stirring frustration and hostility?

Fix your thoughts on Christ through Scripture immersion and prayer. Carefully select uplifting music, podcasts and reading. Limit polluting input that erodes your soul. Discipline yourself to avoid mindless digital scrolling.

You choose what enters your inner life. So let the King of Glory in! Lift your gates only to the noble, right and pure. Set a watch over your heart. Then God’s peace will rule, and you will remain under His mighty hand.

In Christ,

Stephen H. Hammond

President

AUTHOR BIO

Stephen H. Hammond, president and founder of Christian Values Investing Inc., established the first “fee-only” Biblical responsible investment advisory firms in 1993 to help Christians align investments with their values and better manage finances from a biblical perspective. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with a finance degree and worked in the Investment Banking industry before joining Merrill Lynch in 1988. Stephen is a published author and speaker, a spirit-filled Christian who traces his faith heritage to preacher ancestors. In 2005, he established the nonprofit Covenant Financial Ministries to teach biblical stewardship principles and money management. Stephen has decades of experience in money management and financial planning. and serves with Kingdom Advisors and the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants. He has appeared on radio and television, spoken at churches, and authored books including Mission Possible: An Investment Guide for Christians and The Successful Life Manager. He married Angela in 1990, and has two adult children.